Tetrahydroquinolines

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), wherein W, R, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , and R 7  have the meanings indicated in claim  1 . Said compounds can be used for the treatment of tumors, among other things.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention had the object of finding novel compounds having valuableproperties, in particular those which can be used for the preparation ofmedicaments.

The present invention relates to compounds and to the use of compoundsof diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation ofmitotic motor proteins, in particular the mitotic motor protein Eg5,plays a role, furthermore to pharmaceutical compositions which comprisethese compounds.

In detail, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula Iwhich preferably inhibit, regulate and/or modulate one or more mitoticmotor proteins, to compositions which comprise these compounds, and tomethods for the use thereof for the treatment of diseases and complaintssuch as angiogenesis, cancer, tumour formation, growth and propagation,arteriosclerosis, ocular diseases, choroidal neovascularisation anddiabetic retinopathy, inflammatory diseases, arthritis,neurodegeneration, restenosis, wound healing or transplant rejection. Inparticular, the compounds according to the invention are suitable forthe therapy or prophylaxis of cancer diseases.

During mitosis, various kinesins regulate the formation and dynamics ofthe spindle apparatus, which is responsible for correct and coordinatedalignment and separation of the chromosomes. It has been observed thatspecific inhibition of a mitotic motor protein—Eg5—results in collapseof the spindle fibres. The result of this is that the chromosomes can nolonger be distributed correctly over the daughter cells. This results inmitotic arrest and can thus cause cell death. Upregulation of the motorprotein Eg5 has been described, for example, in tissue from breast lungand colon tumours. Since Eg5 takes on a mitosis-specific function, it isprincipally rapidly dividing cells and not fully differentiated cellsthat are affected by Eg5 inhibition. In addition, Eg5 regulatesexclusively the movement of mitotic microtubuli (spindle apparatus) andnot that of the cytoskeleton. This is crucial for the side-effectprofile since, for example, neuropathies, as observed in the case ofTaxol, do not occur or only do so to a weakened extent. The inhibitionof Eg5 by organic molecules is therefore a relevant therapy concept forthe treatment of malignant tumours.

In general, old solid and non-solid tumours come treated with thecompounds of the formula I, such as, for example, monocytic leukaemia,brain, urogenital, lymphatic system, stomach, laryngeal and lungcarcinoma, including lung adenocarcinoma and small-cell lung carcinoma.Further examples include prostate, pancreatic and breast carcinoma.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the compounds according to theinvention effect specific inhibition of mitotic moter proteins, inparticular Eg5. The compounds according to the invention preferablyexhibit an advantageous biological activity which can easily be detectedin the assays described herein, for example. In such, the compoundsaccording to the invention preferably exhibit and cause an inhibitingeffect, which is usually documented by IC₅₀ values in a suitable range,preferably in the micromolar range and more preferably in the nanomolarrange.

As discussed herein, effects of the compound according to the inventionare relevant to various diseases. Accordingly, the compounds accordingto the invention are useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment ofdiseases which are influenced by inhibition of one or more mitoic motorproteins, in particular Eg5.

The present invention therefore relates to compounds according to theinvention as medicaments and/or medicament active ingredients in thetreatment and/or prophylaxis of the said diseases and to the use ofcompounds according to the invention for the preparation of apharmaceutical for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of the saiddiseases, and also to a method for the treatment of the said diseasescomprising the administration of one or more compounds according to theinvention to a patient in need of such an administration.

It can be shown that the compounds according to the invention have anadvantageous effect in a xenotransplant tumour model.

The host or patient can belong to any mammal species, for example aprimate species, particularly humans; rodents, including mice, rats andhamsters; rabbits; horses, cattle, dogs, cats, etc. Animal models are ofinterest for experimental investigations, providing a model for thetreatment of a human disease.

The susceptibility of a certain cell to treatment with the compoundsaccording to the invention can be determined by testing in vitro.Typically, a culture of the cell is combined with a compound accordingto the invention at various concentrations for a period which issufficient to enable the active agents to induce cell death or inhibitmigration, usually between approximately one hour and one week. Fortesting in vitro, cultivated cells from a biopsy sample can be used. Theviable cells remaining after the treatment are then counted.

The dose varies depending on the specific compound used, the specificdisease, the patient status, etc. Typically, a therapeutic dose issufficient considerably to reduce the undesired cell population in thetarget tissue, while the viability of the patient is maintained. Thetreatment is generally continued until a considerable reduction hasoccurred, for example at least about a 50% reduction in the cell burden,and can be continued until essentially no undesired cells are detectedin the body.

PRIOR ART

Similar compounds are described, for example, in Tetrahedron Lett. 1988,29, 5855-5858, Tetrahedron Lett. 2003, 44, 217-219, J. Org. Chem. 1997,62, 4880-4882, J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 6462-6467, Chem. Lett. 1995,423-424, J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 5009-5013, Chem. Lett. 2003, 32,222-223, US2003149069A1, but are not mentioned in connection with cancertreatments and/or do not contain the features that are essential to theinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds of the formula I

in which

-   W denotes CH or N,-   R¹, R², R³, independently of one another, denote H, A, aryl,    heteroaryl, Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—SA, —(CY₂)_(n)—SCF₃, —(CY₂)_(n)—SCN,    —(CY₂)_(n)—CF₃, —(CY₂)_(n)—OCF₃, cycloalkyl, —SCH₃, —SCN, —CF₃,    —OCF₃, —OA, —(CY₂)_(n)—OH, —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R, —(CY₂)_(n)—CN,    —(CY₂)_(n)-Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂, (CY₂)_(n)—OA, (CY₂)_(n)—OCOA, —SCF₃,    (CY₂)_(n)—CONR₂, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHCOA, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHSO₂A,-   Y denotes H, A, Hal-   A denotes alkyl or cycloalkyl,-   Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I-   R denotes H or A, in the case of geminal radicals R together also    —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₄— or —(CH₂)₂—NR—(CH₂)₂,-   R⁴, R⁵ together denote —X (CH₂)₂X—, —X (CR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—,    —XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂OR)X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—,    —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —X(CH₂)₂X—,    —XCHQCR₂X, —XCR₂CHQX—, —XCR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—,    —XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—,

-   Q denotes CH₂Hal, CHO, COR^(a), CH₂R^(a), CH₂OCOR^(a), CH₂NCOR¹,    CH₂N(R¹)₂, CH₂OR¹, CH₂OCON(R¹)₂, CH₂OCOOR¹, CH₂NHCON(R¹)₂,    CH₂NHCOOR¹,

-    OR, NHR₂, NR₂, OR, NHR₂, NR₂, NR(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, NR(CH₂)_(n)OR,    COOR, N-pyrrolidone radical, OCOR, NR(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NHCOOR]CO-aryl, R¹,    N[CH₂(CH₂)_(n)OR]₂, NR(CH₂)_(n)NCOOR, X(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)XR,    NR(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)OH, NR(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n)OH, (CH₂)_(n)COOR,    O(CO)NR(CH₂)_(n)OR, O(CO)(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, NR (CH₂)_(n)NR₂,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)Aryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)R¹,    N(R)(CH₂)_(n)N(R)COOR, XCOO(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, OSO₂A, OSO₂CF₃, OSO₂Ar,    OCONR₂, OCH₂(CH₂)_(n)NR₂-   Z denotes CH₂, X, CHCONH₂, CH(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR, CHNRCOOR, NCO,    CH(CH₂)_(n)COOR, NCOOR, CH(CH₂)_(n)OH, N(CH₂)_(n)OH, CHNH₂,    CH(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, CH(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, C(OH)R, CHNCOR, CH(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,    CH(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, CH(CH₂)_(n)R¹, N(CH₂)_(n)COOR,    CH(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, CH(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N(CH₂)_(n)CONR₂, XCONR(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)X-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)NR-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)X-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)NR-heteroaryl,    N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, O(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,    X(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, NCO(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,-   X denotes O, S or NR-   R⁶ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is unsubstituted or    mono- or polysubstituted by aryl or heteroaryl, each of which may be    substituted by Hal, NO₂, CN, A, OR, OCOR, NR₂, CF₃, OCF₃, OCH(CF₃)₂,    or by Hal, NO₂, CN, OR, A, —(CY₂)_(n)—OR, —OCOR, —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R,    —(CY₂)_(n)—CN or —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂,-   R⁷ denotes (C═O)—R, (C═O)—NR₂, (C═O)—OR, H or A-   and-   n, m, independently of one another, denote 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7    and pharmaceutically usable derivatives, solvates, tautomers, salts    and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.

The invention also relates to the optically active forms(stereoisomers), the enantiomers, the racemates, the diastereomers andthe hydrates and solvates of these compounds. The term solvates of thecompounds is taken to mean adductions of inert solvent molecules ontothe compounds which form owing to their mutual attractive force.Solvates are, for example, mono- or dihydrates or alkoxides.

The term pharmaceutically usable derivatives is taken to mean, forexample, the salts of the compounds according to the invention and alsoso-called prodrug compounds.

The term prodrug derivatives is taken to mean compounds of the formula Iwhich have been modified by means of, for example, alkyl or acyl groups,sugars or oligopeptides and which are rapidly cleaved in the organism toform the effective compounds according to the invention.

These also include biodegradable polymer derivatives of the compoundsaccording to the invention, as described, for example, in Int. J. Pharm.115, 61-67 (1995).

The expression “effective amount” denotes the amount of a medicament orof a pharmaceutical active ingredient which causes in a tissue, system,animal or human a biological or medical response which is sought ordesired, for example, by a researcher or physician.

In addition, the expression “therapeutically effective amount” denotesan amount which, compared with a corresponding subject who has notreceived this amount, has the following consequences:

improved healing treatment, healing, prevention or elimination of adisease, syndrome, condition, complaint, disorder or side-effects oralso the reduction in the progress of a disease, condition or disorder.

The expression “therapeutically effective amount” also encompasses theamounts which are effective for increasing normal physiologicalfunction.

The invention also relates to the use of mixtures of the compoundsaccording to the invention, for example mixtures of two diastereomers,for example in the ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10, 1:100 or 1:1000.

These are particularly preferably mixtures of stereoisomeric compounds.

The invention relates to the compounds of the formula I and saltsthereof and to a process for the preparation of compounds of the formulaI according to the patent claims and pharmaceutically usablederivatives, salts, solvates and stereoisomers thereof, characterised inthat a compound of the formula II

in which R¹, R² and R³ have the meanings indicated above,is reacted with a compound of the formula III

in whichR⁶ has the meaning indicated above,andwith a compound of the formula III, the double-bond isomer (E isomer)thereof or mixtures thereof

in which R⁴ and R⁵ have the meanings indicated above,preferably in the presence of a protonic acid or Lewis acid, such as,for example, trifluoroacetic acid, hexafluoroisopropanol, bismuth(III)chloride, ytterbium(III) triflate, scandium(III) triflate or cerium(IV)ammonium nitrate,and a radical other than H is optionally introduced by conventionalmethods for R⁷.

The mixtures of diastereomers and enantiomers of the compounds of theformula I which may be obtained by the process described above arepreferably separated by chromatography or crystallisation. If W does notdenote CH, corresponding compounds of the formula II are employed forthe preparation process.

If desired, the bases and acids of the formula I obtained by the processdescribed above are converted into their salts.

Above and below, the radicals W, R, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, X, Y andn have the meanings indicated for the formula I, unless expresslyindicated otherwise. If individual radicals occur a number of timeswithin a compound, the radicals adopt the meanings indicated,independently of one another.

A denotes alkyl, is preferably unbranched (linear) or branched, and has1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms. A preferably denotes methyl,furthermore ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl ortert-butyl, furthermore also pentyl, 1-, 2- or 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-, 1,2-or 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1-, 2-, 3- or4-methylpentyl, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 2,2-, 2,3- or 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1- or2-ethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, 1,1,2- or1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, furthermore preferably, for example,trifluoromethyl.

A very particularly preferably denotes alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 Catoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethylor 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl. A also denotes cycloalkyl.

Cycloalkyl preferably denotes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

R¹ preferably denotes A, CF₃, OCF₃, SA, SCN, CH₂CN, —OCOA, Hal, SCF₃,preferably also t-butyl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, isopropyl, ethyl or methyl. Inparticular, R¹ denotes t-butyl, isopropyl, ethyl, CF₃, methyl, Br, Cl,SCF₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, n-propyl, OCH₃, SCH₃, n-butyl, —SCN, CH₂CN. R¹particularly preferably denotes t-butyl, isopropyl, ethyl or CF₃.

R² preferably denotes Hal, A or OA, in particular Br, cyclopropyl, OCH₃.Particular preference is furthermore given to H or F.

R³ preferably denotes H or A, in particular H. R³ is preferably in the5-position. In particular, R³ denotes H or F.

In particularly preferred compounds of the formula I, R² and R³simultaneously have the meaning H. In further preferred compounds of theformula I, one of the radicals R² and R³ has the meaning H and the otherradical has the meaning F.

R⁵ together with R⁴ preferably adopts one of the following meanings:

in which X and R have the above-mentioned meaning and X denotes, inparticular, O.

R⁴ together with R⁵ particularly preferably adopts one of the followingmeanings:

in which R has the above-mentioned meaning.

R⁶ preferably denotes phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, pyrimidyl, furyl orthienyl, each of which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted byHal, CN, NO₂, OH, CF₃, OCH(CF₃)₂, OCOCH₃ or A. In particular, R⁶ denotesone of the following groups:

in which

-   Q denotes O or S, A has the meaning indicated above, but preferably    denotes methyl, and Hal preferably denotes F or Cl.

Particular preference is furthermore given to compounds of the formula Iin which R⁶ has one of the following meanings:

R⁷ preferably denotes H or A, in particular H.

Aryl preferably denotes phenyl, naphthyl or biphenyl, each of which isun-substituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A, OH, OA, NH₂,NO₂, CN, COOH, COOA, CONH₂, NHCOA, NHCONH₂, NHSO₂A, CHO, COA, SO₂NH₂,SO₂A, —CH₂—COOH or —OCH₂—COOH.

Aryl preferably denotes phenyl, o-, m- or p-tolyl, o-, m- orp-ethylphenyl, o-, m- or p-propylphenyl, o-, m- or p-isopropylphenyl,o-, m- or p-tert-butyl-phenyl, o-, m- or p-hydroxyphenyl, o-, m- orp-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-nitrophenyl, o-, m- or p-aminophenyl, o-,m- or p-(N-methylamino)-phenyl, o-, m- orp-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)phenyl, o-, m- or p-acetamidophenyl, o-, m- orp-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethoxyphenyl, o-, m- orp-ethoxycarbonylphenyl, o-, m- or p-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl, o-, m- orp-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl)phenyl, o-, m- or p-(N-ethylamino)-phenyl,o-, m- or p-(N,N-diethylamino)phenyl, o-, m- or p-fluorophenyl, o-, m-or p-bromophenyl, o-, m- or p- chlorophenyl, o-, m- orp-(methylsulfonamido)phenyl, o-, m- or p-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl,furthermore preferably 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or3,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dichlorophenyl,2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dibromophenyl, 2,4- or2,5-dinitrophenyl, 2,5- or 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3-nitro-4-chlorophenyl,3-amino-4-chloro-, 2-amino-3-chloro-, 2-amino-4-chloro-,2-amino-5-chloro- or 2-amino-6-chlorophenyl,2-nitro-4-N,N-dimethylamino- or 3-nitro-4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl,2,3-diaminophenyl, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,6- or3,4,5-trichlorophenyl, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl,2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl, p-iodophenyl, 3,6-dichloro-4-aminophenyl,4-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl, 2-fluoro-4-bromophenyl,2,5-difluoro-4-bromophenyl, 3-bromo-6-methoxyphenyl,3-chloro-6-methoxyphenyl, 3-chloro-4-acetamidophenyl,3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 3-amino-6-methylphenyl,3-chloro-4-acetamidophenyl or 2,5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenyl.

Heteroaryl preferably denotes a mono- or bicyclic aromatic heterocyclehaving one or more N, O and/or S atoms which is unsubstituted or mono-,di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A, NO₂, NHA, NA₂, OA, COOA or CN.

Heteroaryl particularly preferably denotes a monocyclic saturated oraromatic heterocycle having one N, S or O atom, which may beunsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A, NHA, NA₂, NO₂,COOA or benzyl.

Irrespective of further substitutions, unsubstituted heteroaryl denotes,for example, 2- or 3-furyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 1-,2,4- or 5-imidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-oxazolyl,3-, 4- or 5-isoxazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-thiazolyl, 3-, 4- or 5-isothiazolyl,2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, 2-, 4-, 5- or 6-pyrimidinyl, furthermore preferably1,2,3-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-, -3- or 5-yl, 1- or5-tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3- or -5-yl,1,3,4-thiadiazol-2- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3- or -5-yl,1,2,3-thiadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 3- or 4-pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1-, 2-,3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, 4- or 5-isoindolyl, 1-, 2-, 4- or5-benzimidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzopyrazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-or 7-benzoxazolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzisoxazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or7-benzothiazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzisothiazolyl, 4-, 5-, 6- or7-benz-2,1,3-oxadiazolyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl, 1-, 3-,4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-cinnolinyl, 2-,4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl, 5- or 6-quinoxalinyl, 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-,7- or 8-2H-benzo-1,4-oxazinyl, furthermore preferably1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4- or-5-yl or 2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-5-yl.

Hal preferably denotes F, Cl or Br, but also 1, particularly preferablyF or Cl.

Throughout the invention, all radicals which occur more than once may beidentical or different, i.e. are independent of one another.

Compounds of the formula A:

-   -   in which    -   R¹, R², R³, independently of one another, denote H, A, aryl,        heteroaryl, Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—SA, —(CY₂)_(n)—SCF₃, —(CY₂)_(n)—SCN,        —(CY₂)_(n)—CF₃, —(CY₂)_(n)—OCF₃, cycloalkyl, —SCH₃, —SCN, —CF₃,        —OCF₃, —OA, —(CY₂)_(n)—OH, —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R, —(CY₂)_(n)—CN,        —(CY₂)_(n)-Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂, (CY₂)_(n)—OA, (CY₂)_(n)—OCOA,        —SCF₃, (CY₂)_(n)—CONR₂, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHCOA, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHSO₂A    -   Y denotes H, A, Hal    -   A denotes alkyl or cycloalkyl    -   Hal denotes , Cl, Br or I    -   R denotes H or A, in the case of gemimal radicals R together        also —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₄— or —(CH₂)₂—NR—(CH₂)₂,    -   R⁴, R⁵ together denote —X (CH₂)₂X—, —XCR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—,        —XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂OR) X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—,        —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —X (CH₂)₂X—,        —XCR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—,        —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—,

-   -   X denotes O, S or NR    -   R⁶ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is unsubstituted or        mono- or polysubstituted by aryl or heteroaryl, each of which        may be substituted by Hal, NO₂, CN, A, OR, OCOR, NR₂, CF₃, OCF₃,        OCH(CF₃)₂, or by Hal, NO₂, CN, OR, A, —(CY₂)_(n)—OR, —OCOR,        —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R, —(CY₂)_(n)—CN or —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂,    -   R⁷ denotes (C═O)—R, (C═O)—NR₂, (C═O)—OR, H or A    -   and    -   n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7        and pharmaceutically usable derivatives, solvates, tautomers,        salts and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in        all ratios.

W preferably denotes CH.

The compounds of the formula I may have one or more chiral centres andtherefore exist in various stereoisomeric forms. The formula Iencompasses all these forms.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula I are those of thesub-formulae IA to IB:

in whichR, R¹, R², R⁶, R⁷ and X have the meanings indicated aboveandR⁸ denotes H, CH₂OR or CH₂NR₂.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula IA are those of thesub-formulae IA1 to IA3:

in which R, R¹, R², R³, R⁶ and R⁷ have the meanings indicated above.

In particularly preferred compounds of the formula IB, R⁸ has themeaning H.

The radicals R⁴ and R⁵ are particularly preferably in the cis-positionto one another. The radical R⁶ is furthermore preferably in thetrans-position to the radical R⁵.

Preference is given here to a compound of the formula A or B having thefollowing structure:

and the racemate thereof or other mixtures of the enantiomers.

Accordingly, the invention relates, in particular, to the compounds ofthe formula I in which at least one of the said radicals has one of thepreferred meanings indicated above. Some preferred groups of compoundsmay be expressed by the following sub-formulae I1 to I43:

The compounds of the formula I and also the starting materials for theirpreparation are, in addition, prepared by methods known per se, asdescribed in the literature (for example in the standard works, such asHouben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of OrganicChemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), to be precise underreaction conditions which are known and suitable for the said reactions.Use may also be made here of variants known per se which are notmentioned here in greater detail.

If desired, the starting materials may also be formed in situ so thatthey are not isolated from the reaction mixture, but instead areimmediately converted further into the compounds of the formula I.

The reaction is generally carried out in an inert solvent, preferably inthe presence of a protonic acid or Lewis acid, such as TFA, HFIP,bismuth(III) salts, ytterhium(III) salts or CAN. Depending on theconditions used, the reaction time is between a few minutes and 14 days,the reaction temperature is between about 0° and 180°, normally between0° and 100°, particularly preferably between 15° and 35° C.

Suitable inert solvents are, for example, hydrocarbons, such as hexane,petroleum ether, benzene, toluene or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons,such as trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride,chloroform or dichloromethane; nitrites, such as acetonitrile; carbondisulfide; carboxylic acids, such as formic acid or acetic acid; nitrocompounds, such as nitromethane or nitrobenzene, or mixtures of the saidsolvents.

Compounds of the formula I in which R⁷ has a meaning other than H arepreferably prepared by alkylation or acylation from the compounds of theformula I in which R⁷ denotes H.

If desired, a functionally modified amino and/or hydroxyl group in acompound of the formula I can be liberated by solvolysis orhydrogenolysis by conventional methods. This can be carried out, forexample, using NaOH or KOH in water, water/THF or water/dioxane attemperatures between 0 and 100°.

The reduction of an ester to the aldehyde or alcohol or the reduction ofa nitrile to the aldehyde or amine is carried out by methods as areknown to the person skilled in the art and are described in standardworks of organic chemistry.

The said compounds according to the invention can be used in their finalnon-salt form. On the other hand, the present invention also relates tothe use of these compounds in the form of their pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, which can be derived from various organic andinorganic acids and bases by procedures known in the art.Pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of the compounds of the formula Iare for the most part prepared by conventional methods. If the compoundof the formula I contains a carboxyl group, one of its suitable saltscan be formed by reacting the compound with a suitable base to give thecorresponding base-addition salt. Such bases are, for example, alkalimetal hydroxides, including potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide andlithium hydroxide; alkaline earth metal hydroxides, such as bariumhydroxide and calcium hydroxide; alkali metal alkoxides, for examplepotassium ethoxide and sodium propoxide; and various organic bases, suchas piperidine, diethanolamine and N-methylglutamine. The aluminium saltsof the compounds of the formula I are likewise included. In the case ofcertain compounds of the formula I, acid-addition salts can be formed bytreating these compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable organic andinorganic acids, for example hydrogen halides, such as hydrogenchloride, hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide, other mineral acids andcorresponding salts thereof, such as sulfate, nitrate or phosphate andthe like, and alkyl- and monoarylsulfonates, such as ethanesulfonate,toluenesulfonate and benzenesulfonate, and other organic acids andcorresponding salts thereof, such as acetate, trifluoroacetate,tartrate, maleate, succinate, citrate, benzoate, salicylate, ascorbateand the like. Accordingly, pharmaceutically acceptable acid-additionsalts of the compounds of the formula I include the following: acetate,adipate, alginate, arginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate(besylate), bisulfate, bisulfite, bromide, butyrate, camphorate,camphorsulfonate, caprylate, chloride, chlorobenzoate, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dihydrogenphosphate,dinitrobenzoate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, galacterate(from mucic acid), galacturonate, glucoheptanoate, gluconate, glutamate,glycerophosphate, hemisuccinate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate,hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide,2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, iodide, isethionate, isobutyrate, lactate,lactobionate, malate, maleate, malonate, mandelate, metaphosphate,methanesulfonate, methylbenzoate, monohydrogenphosphate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, oleate, palmoate,pectinate, persulfate, phenylacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate,phosphonate, phthalate, but this does not represent a restriction.

Furthermore, the base salts of the compounds according to the inventioninclude aluminium, ammonium, calcium, copper, iron(III), iron(III),lithium, magnesium, manganese(III), manganese(II), potassium, sodium andzinc salts, but this is not intended to represent a restriction. Of theabove-mentioned salts, preference is given to ammonium; the alkali metalsalts sodium and potassium, and the alkaline earth metal salts calciumand magnesium. Salts of the compounds of the formula I which are derivedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include saltsof primary, secondary and tertiary amines, substituted amines, alsoincluding naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, andbasic ion exchanger resins, for example arginine, betaine, caffeine,chloroprocaine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine (benzathine),dicyclohexylamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol,2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine,N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine,hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lidocaine, lysine, meglumine,N-methyl-D-glucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamineresins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethanolamine, triethylamine,trimethylamine, tripropylamine and tris-(hydroxymethyl)methylamine(tromethamine), but this is not intended to represent a restriction.

Compounds of the present invention which contain basicnitrogen-containing groups can be quaternised using agents such as(C₁-C₄)alkyl halides, for example methyl, ethyl, isopropyl andtert-butyl chloride, bromide and iodide; di(C₁-C₄)alkyl sulfates, forexample dimethyl, diethyl and diamyl sulfate; (C₁₀-C₁₈)alkyl halides,for example decyl, dodecyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chloride,bromide and iodide; and aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl halides, for example benzylchloride and phenethyl bromide. Both water- and oil-soluble compoundsaccording to the invention can be prepared using such salts.

The above-mentioned pharmaceutical salts which are preferred includeacetate, trifluoroacetate, besylate, citrate, fumarate, gluconate,hemisuccinate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, isethionate,mandelate, meglumine, nitrate, oleate, phosphonate, pivalate, sodiumphosphate, stearate, sulfate, sulfosalicylate, tartrate, thiomalate,tosylate and tromethamine, but this is not intended to represent arestriction.

The acid-addition salts of basic compounds of the formula I are preparedby bringing the free base form into contact with a sufficient amount ofthe desired acid, causing the formation of the salt in a conventionalmanner. The free base can be regenerated by bringing the salt form intocontact with a base and isolating the free base in a conventionalmanner. The free base forms differ in a certain respect from thecorresponding salt forms thereof with respect to certain physicalproperties, such as solubility in polar solvents; for the purposes ofthe invention, however, the salts otherwise correspond to the respectivefree base forms thereof.

As mentioned, the pharmaceutically acceptable base-addition salts of thecompounds of the formula I are formed with metals or amines, such asalkali metals and alkaline earth metals or organic amines. Preferredmetals are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Preferred organicamines are N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline,diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-methyl-D-glucamine and procaine.

The base-addition salts of acidic compounds according to the inventionare prepared by bringing the free acid form into contact with asufficient amount of the desired base, causing the formation of the saltin a conventional manner. The free acid can be regenerated by bringingthe salt form into contact with an acid and isolating the free acid in aconventional manner. The free acid forms differ in a certain respectfrom the corresponding salt forms thereof with respect to certainphysical properties, such as solubility in polar solvents; for thepurposes of the invention, however, the salts otherwise correspond tothe respective free acid forms thereof.

If a compound according to the invention contains more than one groupwhich is capable of forming pharmaceutically acceptable salts of thistype, the invention also encompasses multiple salts. Typical multiplesalt forms include, for example, bitartrate, diacetate, difumarate,dimeglumine, diphosphate, disodium and trihydrochloride, but this is notintended to represent a restriction.

With regard to that stated above, it can be seen that the term“pharmaceutically acceptable salt” in the present connection is taken tomean an active ingredient which comprises a compound of the formula I inthe form of one of its salts, in particular if this salt form impartsimproved pharmacokinetic properties on the active ingredient comparedwith the free form of the active ingredient or any other salt form ofthe active ingredient used earlier. The pharmaceutically acceptable saltform of the active ingredient can also provide this active ingredientfor the first time with a desired pharmacokinetic property which it didnot have earlier and can even have a positive influence on thepharmacodynamics of this active ingredient with respect to itstherapeutic efficacy in the body.

The invention furthermore relates to medicaments comprising at least onecompound of the formula I and/or pharmaceutically usable derivatives,solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in allratios, and optionally excipients and/or adjuvants.

Pharmaceutical formulations can be administered in the form of dosageunits which comprise a predetermined amount of active ingredient perdosage unit. Such a unit can comprise, for example, 0.5 mg to 1 g,preferably 1 mg to 700 mg, particularly preferably 5 mg to 100 mg, of acompound according to the invention, depending on the condition treated,the method of administration and the age, weight and condition of thepatient, or pharmaceutical formulations can be administered in the formof dosage units which comprise a predetermined amount of activeingredient per dosage unit. Preferred dosage unit formulations are thosewhich comprise a daily dose or part-dose, as indicated above, or acorresponding fraction thereof of an active ingredient. Furthermore,pharmaceutical formulations of this type can be prepared using a processwhich is generally known in the pharmaceutical art.

Pharmaceutical formulations can be adapted for administration via anydesired suitable method, for example by oral (including buccal orsublingual), rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal, sublingual ortransdermal), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous,intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal) methods. Such formulationscan be prepared using all processes known in the pharmaceutical art by,for example, combining the active ingredient with the excipient(s) oradjuvant(s).

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for oral administration can beadministered as separate units, such as, for example, capsules ortablets; powders or granules; solutions or suspensions in aqueous ornon-aqueous liquids; edible foams or foam foods; or oil-in-water liquidemulsions or water-in-oil liquid emulsions.

Thus, for example, in the case of oral administration in the form of atablet or capsule, the active-ingredient component can be combined withan oral, non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable inert excipient, suchas, for example, ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Powders areprepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixingit with a pharmaceutical excipient comminuted in a similar manner, suchas, for example, an edible carbohydrate, such as, for example, starch ormannitol. A flavour, preservative, dispersant and dye may likewise bepresent.

Capsules are produced by preparing a powder mixture as described aboveand filling shaped gelatine shells therewith. Glidants and lubricants,such as, for example, highly disperse silicic acid, talc, magnesiumstearate, calcium stearate or polyethylene glycol in solid form, can beadded to the powder mixture before the filling operation. A disintegrantor solubiliser, such as, for example, agar-agar, calcium carbonate orsodium carbonate, may likewise be added in order to improve theavailability of the medicament after the capsule has been taken.

In addition, if desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants anddisintegrants as well as dyes can likewise be incorporated into themixture. Suitable binders include starch, gelatine, natural sugars, suchas, for example, glucose or beta-lactose, sweeteners made from maize,natural and synthetic rubber, such as, for example, acacia, tragacanthor sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes,and the like. The lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodiumoleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodiumacetate, sodium chloride and the like. The disintegrants include,without being restricted thereto, starch, methylcellulose, agar,bentonite, xanthan gum and the like. The tablets are formulated by, forexample, preparing a powder mixture, granulating or dry-pressing themixture, adding a lubricant and a disintegrant and pressing the entiremixture to give tablets. A powder mixture is prepared by mixing thecompound comminuted in a suitable manner with a diluent or a base, asdescribed above, and optionally with a binder, such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, an alginate, gelatine or polyvinylpyrrolidone, adissolution retardant, such as, for example, paraffin, an absorptionaccelerator, such as, for example, a quaternary salt, and/or anabsorbant, such as, for example, bentonite, kaolin or dicalciumphosphate. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting it with abinder, such as, for example, syrup, starch paste, acadia mucilage orsolutions of cellulose or polymer materials and pressing it through asieve. As an alternative to granulation, the powder mixture can be runthrough a tabletting machine, giving lumps of non-uniform shape whichare broken up to form granules. The granules can be lubricated byaddition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc or mineral oil in orderto prevent sticking to the tablet casting moulds. The lubricated mixtureis then pressed to give tablets. The compounds according to theinvention can also be combined with a free-flowing inert excipient andthen pressed directly to give tablets without carrying out thegranulation or dry-pressing steps. A transparent or opaque protectivelayer consisting of a shellac sealing layer, a layer of sugar or polymermaterial and a gloss layer of wax may be present. Dyes can be added tothese coatings in order to be able to differentiate between differentdosage units.

Oral liquids, such as, for example, solution, syrups and elixirs, can bepre-pared in the form of dosage units so that a given quantity comprisesa pre-specified amount of the compound. Syrups can be prepared bydissolving the compound in an aqueous solution with a suitable flavour,while elixirs are prepared using a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle.Suspensions can be formulated by dispersion of the compound in anon-toxic vehicle. Solubilisers and emulsifiers, such as, for example,ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and polyoxyethylene sorbitol ethers,preservatives, flavour additives, such as, for example, peppermint oilor natural sweeteners or saccharin, or other artificial sweeteners andthe like, can likewise be added.

The dosage unit formulations for oral administration can, if desired, beencapsulated in microcapsules. The formulation can also be prepared insuch a way that the release is extended or retarded, such as, forexample, by coating or embedding of particulate material in polymers,wax and the like.

The compounds of the formula I and salts, solvates and physiologicallyfunctional derivatives thereof can also be administered in the form ofliposome delivery systems, such as, for example, small unilamellarvesicles, large unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles.Liposomes can be formed from various phospholipids, such as, forexample, cholesterol, stearylamine or phosphatidylcholines.

The compounds of the formula I and the salts, solvates andphysiologically functional derivatives thereof can also be deliveredusing monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compoundmolecules are coupled. The compounds can also be coupled to solublepolymers as targeted medicament carriers. Such polymers may encompasspolyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer,polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidophenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamidophenolor polyethylene oxide polylysine, substituted by palmitoyl radicals. Thecompounds may furthermore be coupled to a class of biodegradablepolymers which are suitable for achieving controlled release of amedicament, for example polylactic acid, poly-epsilon-caprolactone,polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals,polydihydroxypyrans, polycyanoacrylates and crosslinked or amphipathicblock copolymers of hydrogels.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for transdermal administration canbe administered as independent plasters for extended, close contact withthe epidermis of the recipient. Thus, for example, the active ingredientcan be delivered from the plaster by iontophoresis, as described ingeneral terms in Pharmaceutical Research, 3(6), 318 (1986).

Pharmaceutical compounds adapted for topical administration can beformulated as ointments, creams, suspensions, lotions, powders,solutions, pastes, gels, sprays, aerosols or oils.

For the treatment of the eye or other external tissue, for example mouthand skin, the formulations are preferably applied as topical. ointmentor cream. In the case of formulation to give an ointment, the activeingredient can be employed either with a paraffinic or a water-misciblecream base. Alternatively, the active ingredient can be formulated togive a cream with an oil-in-water cream base or a water-in-oil base.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for topical application to the eyeinclude eye drops, in which the active ingredient is dissolved orsuspended in a suitable carrier, in particular an aqueous solvent.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for topical application in the mouthencompass lozenges, pastilles and mouthwashes.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for rectal administration can beadministered in the form of suppositories or enemas.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for nasal administration in whichthe carrier substance is a solid comprise a coarse powder having aparticle size, for example, in the range 20-500 microns, which isadministered in the manner in which snuff is taken, i.e. by rapidinhalation via the nasal passages from a container containing the powderheld close to the nose. Suitable formulations for administration asnasal spray or nose drops with a liquid as carrier substance encompassactive-ingredient solutions in water or oil.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for administration by inhalationencompass finely particulate dusts or mists, which can be generated byvarious types of pressurised dispensers with aerosols, nebulisers orinsufflators.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for vaginal administration can beadministered as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprayformulations.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for parenteral administrationinclude aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions comprisingantioxidants, buffers, bacteriostatics and solutes, by means of whichthe formulation is rendered isotonic with the blood of the recipient tobe treated; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions, which maycomprise suspension media and thickeners. The formulations can beadministered in single-dose or multidose containers, for example sealedampoules and vials, and stored in freeze-dried (lyophilised) state, sothat only the addition of the sterile carrier liquid, for example waterfor injection purposes, immediately before use is necessary.

Injection solutions and suspensions prepared in accordance with therecipe can be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.

It goes without saying that, in addition to the above particularlymentioned constituents, the formulations may also comprise other agentsusual in the art with respect to the particular type of formulation;thus, for example, formulations which are suitable for oraladministration may comprise flavours.

A therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula Idepends on a number of factors, including, for example, the age andweight of the animal, the precise condition which requires treatment,and its severity, the nature of the formulation and the method ofadministration, and is ultimately determined by the treating doctor orvet. However, an effective amount of a compound according to theinvention for the treatment of neoplastic growth, for example colon orbreast carcinoma, is generally in the range from 0.1 to 100 mg/kg ofbody weight of the recipient (mammal) per day and particularly typicallyin the range from 1 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. Thus, the actualamount per day for an adult mammal weighing 70 kg is usually between 70and 700 mg, where this amount can be administered as a single dose perday or usually in a series of part-doses (such as, for example, two,three, four, five or six) per day, so that the total daily dose is thesame. An effective amount of a salt or solvate or of a physiologicallyfunctional derivative thereof can be determined as the fraction of theeffective amount of the compound according to the invention per se. Itcan be assumed that similar doses are suitable for the treatment ofother conditions mentioned above.

The invention furthermore relates to medicaments comprising at least onecompound of the formula I and/or pharmaceutically usable derivatives,solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in allratios, and at least one further medicament active ingredient.

The invention also relates to a set (kit) consisting of separate packsof

-   (a) an effective amount of a compound of the formula I and/or    pharmaceutically usable derivatives, solvates and stereoisomers    thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, and-   (b) an effective amount of a further medicament active ingredient.

The set comprises suitable containers, such as boxes, individualbottles, bags or ampoules. The set may, for example, comprise separateampoules, each containing an effective amount of a compound of theformula I and/or pharmaceutically usable derivatives, solvates andstereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios,

and an effective amount of a further medicament active ingredient indissolved or lyophilised form.

The medicaments from Table 1 are preferably, but not exclusively,combined with the compounds of the formula I. A combination of theformula I and medicaments from Table 1 can also be combined withcompounds of the formula VI.

TABLE 1 Alkylating agents Cyclophosphamide Lomustine BusulfanProcarbazine Ifosfamide Altretamine Melphalan Estramustine phosphateHexamethylmelamine Mechloroethamine Thiotepa Streptozocin ChloroambucilTemozolomide Dacarbazine Semustine Carmustine Platinum agents CisplatinCarboplatin Oxaliplatin ZD-0473 (AnorMED) Spiroplatin Lobaplatin(Aetema) Carboxyphthalatoplatinum Satraplatin (Johnson TetraplatinMatthey) Ormiplatin BBR-3464 Iproplatin (Hoffrnann-La Roche) SM-11355(Sumitomo) AP-5280 (Access) Antimetabolites Azacytidine TomudexGemcitabine Trimetrexate Capecitabine Deoxycoformycin 5-FluorouracilFludarabine Floxuridine Pentostatin 2-Chlorodesoxyadenosine Raltitrexed6-Mercaptopurine Hydroxyurea 6-Thioguanine Decitabine (SuperGen)Cytarabine Clofarabine (Bioenvision) 2-Fluorodesoxycytidine Irofulven(MGI Pharrna) Methotrexate DMDC (Hoffmann-La Idatrexate Roche)Ethynylcytidine (Taiho) Topoisomerase Amsacrine Rubitecan (SuperGen)inhibitors Epirubicin Exatecan mesylate Etoposide (Daiichi) Teniposideor Quinamed (ChemGenex) mitoxantrone Gimatecan (Sigma-Tau) Irinotecan(CPT-11) Diflomotecan (Beaufour- 7-Ethyl-10- Ipsen) hydroxycamptothecinTAS-103 (Taiho) Topotecan Elsamitrucin (Spectrum) Dexrazoxanet J-107088(Merck & Co) (TopoTarget) BNP-1350 (BioNumerik) Pixantrone(Novuspharrna) CKD-602 (Chong Kun Rebeccamycin analogue Dang) (Exelixis)KW-2170 (Kyowa Hakko) BBR-3576 (Novuspharrna) Antitumour Dactinomycin(Actinomycin Amonafide antibiotics D) Azonafide Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)Anthrapyrazole Deoxyrubicin Oxantrazole Valrubicin LosoxantroneDaunorubicin Bleomycin sulfate (Daunomycin) (Blenoxan) EpirubicinBleomycinic acid Therarubicin Bleomycin A Idarubicin Bleomycin BRubidazon Mitomycin C Plicamycinp MEN-10755 (Menarini) PorfiromycinGPX-100 (Gem Cyanomorpholinodoxorubicin Pharmaceuticals) Mitoxantron(Novantron) Antimitotic agents Paclitaxel SB 408075 Docetaxel(GlaxoSmithKline) Colchicine E7010 (Abbott) Vinblastine PG-TXL (CellVincristine Therapeutics) Vinorelbine IDN 5109 (Bayer) Vindesine A105972 (Abbott) Dolastatin 10 (NCI) A 204197 (Abbott) Rhizoxin(Fujisawa) LU 223651 (BASF) Mivobulin (Warner- D 24851 (ASTA Medica)Lambert) ER-86526 (Eisai) Cemadotin (BASF) Combretastatin A4 (BMS) RPR109881A (Aventis) Isohomohalichondrin-B TXD 258 (Aventis) (PharmaMar)Epothilone B (Novartis) ZD 6126 (AstraZeneca) T 900607 (Tularik)PEG-Paclitaxel (Enzon) T 138067 (Tularik) AZ10992 (Asahi) Cryptophycin52 (Eli Lilly) !DN-5109 (Indena) Vinflunine (Fabre) AVLB (PrescientAuristatin PE (Teikoku NeuroPharma) Hormone) Azaepothilon B (BMS) BMS247550 (BMS) BNP-7787 (BioNumerik) BMS 184476 (BMS) CA-4-Prodrug(OXiGENE) BMS 188797 (BMS) Dolastatin-10 (NrH) Taxoprexin (Protarga)CA-4 (OXiGENE) Aromatase Aminoglutethimide Exemestan inhibitorsLetrozole Atamestan (BioMedicines) Anastrazole YM-511 (Yamanouchi)Formestan Thymidylate Pemetrexed (Eli Lilly) Nolatrexed (Eximias)synthase ZD-9331 (BTG) CoFactor ™ (BioKeys) inhibitors DNA antagonistsTrabectedin (PharmaMar) Mafosfamide (Baxter Glufosfamide (BaxterInternational) International) Apaziquone (Spectrum Albumin + 32P(Isotope Pharmaceuticals) Solutions) O6-Benzylguanine Thymectacin(NewBiotics) (Paligent) Edotreotid (Novartis) Farnesyl Arglabin(NuOncology Tipifarnib (Johnson & transferase Labs) Johnson) inhibitorsIonafarnib (Schering- Perillyl alcohol (DOR Plough) BioPharma)BAY-43-9006 (Bayer) Pump inhibitors CBT-1 (CBA Pharma) ZosuquidarTariquidar (Xenova) trihydrochloride (Eli Lilly) MS-209 (Schering AG)Biricodar dicitrate (Vertex) Histone acetyl Tacedinaline (Pfizer)Pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate transferase SAHA (Aton Pharma) (Titan)inhibitors MS-275 (Schering AG) Depsipeptide (Fujisawa)Metalloproteinase Neovastat (Aeterna CMT-3 (CollaGenex) inhibitorsLaboratories) BMS-275291 (Celltech) Ribonucleoside Marimastat (BritishTezacitabine (Aventis) reductase Biotech) Didox (Molecules forinhibitors Gallium maltolate (Titan) Health) Triapin (Vion) TNF-alphaVirulizin (Lorus Revimid (Celgene) agonists/ Therapeutics) antagonistsCDC-394 (Celgene) Endothelin-A Atrasentan (Abbot) YM-598 (Yamanouchi)receptor ZD-4054 (AstraZeneca) antagonists Retinoic acid Fenretinide(Johnson & Alitretinoin (Ligand) receptor agonists Johnson) LGD-1550(Ligand) Immuno- Interferon Dexosome therapy modulators Oncophage(Antigenics) (Anosys) GMK (Progenics) Pentrix (Australian CancerAdenocarcinoma vaccine Technology) (Biomira) JSF-154 (Tragen) CTP-37(AVI BioPharma) Cancer vaccine (Intercell) JRX-2 (Immuno-Rx) Norelin(Biostar) PEP-005 (Peplin Biotech) BLP-25 (Biomira) Synchrovax vaccines(CTL MGV (Progenics) Immuno) !3-Alethin (Dovetail) Melanoma vaccine (CTLCLL-Thera (Vasogen) Immuno) p21-RAS vaccine (GemVax) Hormonal andOestrogens Prednisone antihormonal Conjugated oestrogensMethylprednisolone agents Ethynyloestradiol PrednisoloneChlorotrianisene Aminoglutethimide Idenestrol LeuprolideHydroxyprogesterone Goserelin caproate Leuporelin MedroxyprogesteroneBicalutamide Testosterone Flutamide Testosterone propionate OctreotideFluoxymesterone Nilutamide Methyltestosterone Mitotan DiethylstilbestrolP-04 (Novogen) Megestrol 2-Methoxyoestradiol Tamoxifen (EntreMed)Toremofin Arzoxifen (Eli Lilly) Dexamethasone Photodynamic Talaporfin(Light Sciences) Pd-Bacteriopheophorbid agents Theralux (Yeda)(Theratechnologies) Lutetium-Texaphyrin Motexafin-Gadolinium(Pharmacyclics) (Pharmacyclics) Hypericin Tyrosine kinase Imatinib(Novartis) Kahalide F (PharmaMar) inhibitorsLeflunomide(Sugen/Pharmacia) CEP-701 (Cephalon) ZDI839 (AstraZeneca)CEP-751 (Cephalon) Erlotinib (Oncogene MLN518 (Millenium) Science)PKC412 (Novartis) Canertjnib (Pfizer) Phenoxodiol O Squalamine (Genaera)Trastuzumab (Genentech) SU5416 (Pharmacia) C225 (ImClone) SU6668(Pharmacia) rhu-Mab (Genentech) ZD4190 (AstraZeneca) MDX-H210 (Medarex)ZD6474 (AstraZeneca) 2C4 (Genentech) Vatalanib (Novartis) MDX-447(Medarex) PKI166 (Novartis) ABX-EGF (Abgenix) GW2016 IMC-1C11 (ImClone)(GlaxoSmithKline) EKB-509 (Wyeth) EKB-569 (Wyeth) Various agentsSR-27897 (CCK-A BCX-1777 (PNP inhibitor, inhibitor, Sanofi- BioCryst)Synthelabo) Ranpirnase (ribonuclease Tocladesine (cyclic AMP stimulant,Alfacell) agonist, Ribapharm) Galarubicin (RNA Alvocidib (CDK inhibitor,synthesis inhibitor, Dong- Aventis) A) CV-247 (COX-2 inhibitor,Tirapazamine (reducing Ivy Medical) agent, SRI International) P54 (COX-2inhibitor, N-Acetylcysteine (reducing Phytopharm) agent, Zambon)CapCell ™ (CYP450 R-Flurbiprofen (NF-kappaB stimulant, Bavarian Nordic)inhibitor, Encore) GCS-IOO (gal3 antagonist, 3CPA (NF-kappaBGlycoGenesys) inhibitor, Active Biotech) G17DT immunogen Seocalcitol(vitamin D (gastrin inhibitor, Aphton) receptor agonist, Leo)Efaproxiral (oxygenator, 131-I-TM-601 (DNA Allos Therapeutics)antagonist, PI-88 (heparanase TransMolecular) inhibitor, Progen)Eflornithin (ODC inhibitor, Tesmilifen (histamine ILEX Oncology)antagonist, YM Minodronic acid BioSciences) (osteoclast inhibitor,Histamine (histamine H2 Yamanouchi) receptor agonist, Maxim) Indisulam(p53 stimulant, Tiazofurin (IMPDH Eisai) inhibitor, Ribapharm) Aplidin(PPT inhibitor, Cilengitide (integrin PharmaMar) antagonist, Merck KGaA)Rituximab (CD20 antibody, SR-31747 (IL-1 antagonist, Genentech)Sanofi-Synthelabo) Gemtuzumab (CD33 CCI-779 (mTOR kinase antibody, WyethAyerst) inhibitor, Wyeth) PG2 (haematopoiesis Exisulind (PDE-Vinhibitor, promoter, Pharmagenesis) Cell Pathways) Immunol ™ (triclosanCP-461 (PDE-V inhibitor, mouthwash, Endo) Cell Pathways)Triacetyluridine (uridine AG-2037 (GART inhibitor, prodrug, Wellstat)Pfizer) SN-4071 (sarcoma agent, WX-UK1 (plasminogen SignatureBioScience) activator inhibitor, Wilex) TransMID-107 ™ PBI-1402 (PMNstimulant, (immunotoxin, KS ProMetic LifeSciences) Biomedix) Bortezomib(proteasome PCK-3145 (apoptosis inhibitor, Millennium) promoter,Procyon) SRL-172 (T-cell stimulant, Doranidazole (apoptosis SR Pharma)promoter, Pola) TLK-286 (glutathione-S CHS-828 (cytotoxic agent,transferase inhibitor, Telik) Leo) PT-100 (growth factor Trans-retinicacid agonist, Point (differentiator, NIH) Therapeutics) MX6 (apoptosispromoter, Midostaurin (PKC inhibitor, MAXIA) Novartis) Apomine(apoptosis Bryostatin-1 (PKC promoter, ILEX Oncology) stimulant, GPCBiotech) Urocidin (apoptosis CDA-II (apoptosis promoter, Bioniche)promoter, Everlife) Ro-31-7453 (apoptosis SDX-101 (apoptosis promoter,La Roche) promoter, Salmedix) Brostallicin (apoptosis Ceflatonin(apoptosis promoter, Pharmacia) promoter, ChemGenex) Alkylating agentsCyclophosphamide Lomustine Busulfan Procarbazine Ifosfamide AltretamineMelphalan Estramustine phosphate Hexamethylmelamine MechloroethamineThiotepa Streptozocin Chloroambucil Temozolomide Dacarbazine SemustineCarmustine Platinum agents Cisplatin Carboplatin Oxaliplatin ZD-0473(AnorMED) Spiroplatin Lobaplatin (Aetema) CarboxyphthalatoplatinumSatraplatin (Johnson Tetraplatin Matthey) Ormiplatin BBR-3464 Iproplatin(Hoffrnann-La Roche) SM-11355 (Sumitomo) AP-5280 (Access)Antimetabolites Azacytidine Tomudex Gemcitabine TrimetrexateCapecitabine Deoxycoformycin 5-Fluorouracil Fludarabine FloxuridinePentostatin 2-Chlorodesoxyadenosine Raltitrexed 6-MercaptopurineHydroxyurea 6-Thioguanine Decitabine (SuperGen) Cytarabine Clofarabine(Bioenvision) 2-Fluordesoxycytidine Irofulven (MGI Pharrna) MethotrexateDMDC (Hoffmann-La Idatrexate Roche) Ethynylcytidine (Taiho)Topoisomerase Amsacrine Rubitecan (SuperGen) inhibitors EpirubicinExatecan mesylate Etoposide (Daiichi) Teniposide or Quinamed (ChemGenex)mitoxantrone Gimatecan (Sigma-Tau) Irinotecan (CPT-11) Diflomotecan(Beaufour- 7-Ethyl-10- Ipsen) hydroxycamptothecin TAS-103 (Taiho)Topotecan Elsamitrucin (Spectrum) Dexrazoxanet J-107088 (Merck & Co)(TopoTarget) BNP-1350 (BioNumerik) Pixantrone (Novuspharrna) CKD-602(Chong Kun Rebeccamycin analogue Dang) (Exelixis) KW-2170 (Kyowa Hakko)BBR-3576 (Novuspharrna) Antitumour Dactinomycin (Actinomycin Amonafideantibiotics D) Azonafide Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) AnthrapyrazoleDeoxyrubicin Oxantrazole Valrubicin Losoxantrone Daunorubicin Bleomycinsulfate (Daunomycin) (Blenoxan) Epirubicin Bleomycinic acid TherarubicinBleomycin A Idarubicin Bleomycin B Rubidazon Mitomycin C PlicamycinpMEN-10755 (Menarini) Porfiromycin GPX-100 (GemCyanomorpholinodoxorubicin Pharmaceuticals) Mitoxantron (Novantron)Antimitotic agents Paclitaxel SB 408075 Docetaxel (GlaxoSmithKline)Colchicine E7010 (Abbott) Vinblastine PG-TXL (Cell VincristineTherapeutics) Vinorelbine IDN 5109 (Bayer) Vindesine A 105972 (Abbott)Dolastatin 10 (NCI) A 204197 (Abbott) Rhizoxin (Fujisawa) LU 223651(BASF) Mivobulin (Warner- D 24851 (ASTA Medica) Lambert) ER-86526(Eisai) Cemadotin (BASF) Combretastatin A4 (BMS) RPR 109881A (Aventis)Isohomohalichondrin-B TXD 258 (Aventis) (PharmaMar) Epothilone B(Novartis) ZD 6126 (AstraZeneca) T 900607 (Tularik) PEG-Paclitaxel(Enzon) T 138067 (Tularik) AZ10992 (Asahi) Cryptophycin 52 (Eli Lilly)!DN-5109 (Indena) Vinflunine (Fabre) AVLB (Prescient Auristatin PE(Teikoku NeuroPharma) Hormone) Azaepothilon B (BMS) BMS 247550 (BMS)BNP-7787 (BioNumerik) BMS 184476 (BMS) CA-4-Prodrug (OXiGENE) BMS 188797(BMS) Dolastatin-10 (NrH) Taxoprexin (Protarga) CA-4 (OXiGENE) AromataseAminoglutethimide Exemestan inhibitors Letrozole Atamestan(BioMedicines) Anastrazole YM-511 (Yamanouchi) Formestan ThymidylatePemetrexed (Eli Lilly) Nolatrexed (Eximias) synthase ZD-9331 (BTG)CoFactor ™ (BioKeys) inhibitors DNA antagonists Trabectedin (PharmaMar)Mafosfamide (Baxter Glufosfamide (Baxter International) International)Apaziquone (Spectrum Albumin + 32P (Isotope Pharmaceuticals) Solutions)O6-Benzylguanine Thymectacin (NewBiotics) (Paligent) Edotreotid(Novartis) Farnesyl Arglabin (NuOncology Tipifarnib (Johnson &transferase Labs) Johnson) inhibitors Ionafarnib (Schering- Perillylalcohol (DOR Plough) BioPharma) BAY-43-9006 (Bayer) Pump inhibitorsCBT-1 (CBA Pharma) Zosuquidar Tariquidar (Xenova) trihydrochloride (EliLilly) MS-209 (Schering AG) Biricodar dicitrate (Vertex) Histone acetylTacedinaline (Pfizer) Pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate transferase SAHA (AtonPharma) (Titan) inhibitors MS-275 (Schering AG) Depsipeptide (Fujisawa)Metalloproteinase Neovastat (Aeterna CMT-3 (CollaGenex) inhibitorsLaboratories) BMS-275291 (Celltech) Ribonucleoside Marimastat (BritishTezacitabine (Aventis) reductase Biotech) Didox (Molecules forinhibitors Gallium maltolate (Titan) Health) Triapin (Vion) TNF-alphaVirulizin (Lorus Revimid (Celgene) agonists/ Therapeutics) antagonistsCDC-394 (Celgene) Endothelin-A Atrasentan (Abbot) YM-598 (Yamanouchi)receptor ZD-4054 (AstraZeneca) antagonists Retinoic acid Fenretinide(Johnson & Alitretinoin (Ligand) receptor agonists Johnson) LGD-1550(Ligand) Immuno- Interferon Dexosome therapy modulators Oncophage(Antigenics) (Anosys) GMK (Progenics) Pentrix (Australian CancerAdenocarcinoma vaccine Technology) (Biomira) JSF-154 (Tragen) CTP-37(AVI BioPharma) Cancer vaccine (Intercell) JRX-2 (Immuno-Rx) Norelin(Biostar) PEP-005 (Peplin Biotech) BLP-25 (Biomira) Synchrovax vaccines(CTL MGV (Progenics) Immuno) !3-Alethin (Dovetail) Melanoma vaccine (CTLCLL-Thera (Vasogen) Immuno) p21-RAS vaccine (GemVax) Hormonal andOestrogens Prednisone antihormonal Conjugated oestrogensMethylprednisolone agents Ethynyloestradiol PrednisoloneChlorotrianisene Aminoglutethimide Idenestrol LeuprolideHydroxyprogesterone Goserelin caproate Leuporelin MedroxyprogesteroneBicalutamide Testosterone Flutamide Testosterone propionate OctreotideFluoxymesterone Nilutamide Methyltestosterone Mitotan DiethylstilbestrolP-04 (Novogen) Megestrol 2-Methoxyoestradiol Tamoxifen (EntreMed)Toremofin Arzoxifen (Eli Lilly) Dexamethasone Photodynamic Talaporfin(Light Sciences) Pd-Bacteriopheophorbid agents Theralux (Yeda)(Theratechnologies) Lutetium-Texaphyrin Motexafin-Gadolinium(Pharmacyclics) (Pharmacyclics) Hypericin Tyrosine kinase Imatinib(Novartis) Kahalide F (PharmaMar) inhibitorsLeflunomide(Sugen/Pharmacia) CEP-701 (Cephalon) ZDI839 (AstraZeneca)CEP-751 (Cephalon) Erlotinib (Oncogene MLN518 (Millenium) Science)PKC412 (Novartis) Canertjnib (Pfizer) Phenoxodiol O Squalamine (Genaera)Trastuzumab (Genentech) SU5416 (Pharmacia) C225 (ImClone) SU6668(Pharmacia) rhu-Mab (Genentech) ZD4190 (AstraZeneca) MDX-H210 (Medarex)ZD6474 (AstraZeneca) 2C4 (Genentech) Vatalanib (Novartis) MDX-447(Medarex) PKI166 (Novartis) ABX-EGF (Abgenix) GW2016 IMC-1C11 (ImClone)(GlaxoSmithKline) EKB-509 (Wyeth) EKB-569 (Wyeth) Various agentsSR-27897 (CCK-A BCX-1777 (PNP inhibitor, inhibitor, Sanofi- BioCryst)Synthelabo) Ranpirnase (ribonuclease Tocladesine (cyclic AMP stimulant,Alfacell) agonist, Ribapharm) Galarubicin (RNA Alvocidib (CDK inhibitor,synthesis inhibitor, Dong- Aventis) A) CV-247 (COX-2 inhibitor,Tirapazamine (reducing Ivy Medical) agent, SRI International) P54 (COX-2inhibitor, N-Acetylcysteine (reducing Phytopharm) agent, Zambon)CapCell ™ (CYP450 R-Flurbiprofen (NF-kappaB stimulant, Bavarian Nordic)inhibitor, Encore) GCS-IOO (gal3 antagonist, 3CPA (NF-kappaBGlycoGenesys) inhibitor, Active Biotech) G17DT immunogen Seocalcitol(vitamin D (gastrin inhibitor, Aphton) receptor agonist, Leo)Efaproxiral (oxygenator, 131-I-TM-601 (DNA Allos Therapeutics)antagonist, PI-88 (heparanase TransMolecular) inhibitor, Progen)Eflornithin (ODC inhibitor, Tesmilifen (histamine ILEX Oncology)antagonist, YM Minodronic acid BioSciences) (osteoclast inhibitor,Histamine (histamine H2 Yamanouchi) receptor agonist, Maxim) Indisulam(p53 stimulant, Tiazofurin (IMPDH Eisai) inhibitor, Ribapharm) Aplidin(PPT inhibitor, Cilengitide (integrin PharmaMar) antagonist, Merck KGaA)Rituximab (CD20 antibody, SR-31747 (IL-1 antagonist, Genentech)Sanofi-Synthelabo) Gemtuzumab (CD33 CCI-779 (mTOR kinase antibody, WyethAyerst) inhibitor, Wyeth) PG2 (haematopoiesis Exisulind (PDE-Vinhibitor, promoter, Pharmagenesis) Cell Pathways) Immunol ™ (triclosanCP-461 (PDE-V inhibitor, mouthwash, Endo) Cell Pathways)Triacetyluridine (uridine AG-2037 (GART inhibitor, prodrug, Wellstat)Pfizer) SN-4071 (sarcoma agent, WX-UK1 (plasminogen SignatureBioScience) activator inhibitor, Wilex) TransMID-107 ™ PBI-1402 (PMNstimulant, (immunotoxin, KS ProMetic LifeSciences) Biomedix) Bortezomib(proteasome PCK-3145 (apoptosis inhibitor, Millennium) promoter,Procyon) SRL-172 (T-cell stimulant, Doranidazole (apoptosis SR Pharma)promoter, Pola) TLK-286 (glutathione-S CHS-828 (cytotoxic agent,transferase inhibitor, Telik) Leo) PT-100 (growth factor Trans-retinicacid agonist, Point (differentiator, NIH) Therapeutics) MX6 (apoptosispromoter, Midostaurin (PKC inhibitor, MAXIA) Novartis) Apomine(apoptosis Bryostatin-1 (PKC promoter, ILEX Oncology) stimulant, GPCBiotech) Urocidin (apoptosis CDA-II (apoptosis promoter, Bioniche)promoter, Everlife) Ro-31-7453 (apoptosis SDX-101 (apoptosis promoter,La Roche) promoter, Salmedix) Brostallicin (apoptosis Ceflatonin(apoptosis promoter, Pharmacia) promoter, ChemGenex)

The compounds of the formula I are preferably combined with knownanti-cancer agents:

The present compounds are also suitable for combination with knownanti-cancer agents. These known anti-cancer agents include thefollowing: oestrogen receptor modulators, androgen receptor modulators,retinoid receptor modulators, cytotoxic agents, antiproliferativeagents, prenyl-protein transferase inhibitors, HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitors, HIV protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitorsand other angiogenesis inhibitors. The present compounds areparticularly suitable for administration at the same time asradiotherapy. The synergistic effects of inhibition of VEGF incombination with radiotherapy have been described by specialists (see WO00/61186).

“Oestrogen receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere withor inhibit the binding of oestrogen to the receptor, regardless ofmechanism. Examples of oestrogen receptor modulators include, but arenot limited to, tamoxifen, raloxifene, idoxifene, LY353381, LY 117081,toremifene, fulvestrant,4-[7-(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy-4-methyl-2-[4-[2-(1-piperidinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-3-yl]phenyl2,2-dimethylpropanoate,4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone and SH646.

“Androgen receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere withor inhibit the binding of androgens to the receptor, regardless ofmechanism. Examples of androgen receptor modulators include finasterideand other 5α-reductase inhibitors, nilutamide, flutamide, bicalutamide,liarozole and abiraterone acetate.

“Retinoid receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere withor inhibit the binding of retinoids to the receptor, regardless ofmechanism. Examples of such retinoid receptor modulators includebexarotene, tretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid,α-difluoromethylornithine, ILX23-7553,trans-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide and N-4-carboxyphenylretinamide.

“Cytotoxic agents” refers to compounds which result in cell deathprimarily through direct action on the cellular function or inhibit orinterfere with cell myosis, including alkylating agents, tumour necrosisfactors, intercalators, microtubulin inhibitors and topoisomeraseinhibitors.

Examples of cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to,tirapazimine, sertenef, cachectin, ifosfamide, tasonermin, lonidamine,carboplatin, altretamine, prednimustine, dibromodulcitol, ranimustine,fotemustine, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin, temozolomide, heptaplatin,estramustine, improsulfan tosylate, trofosfamide, nimustine,dibrospidium chloride, pumitepa, lobaplatin, satraplatin, profiromycin,cisplatin, irofulven, dexifosfamide,cis-aminedichloro(2-methylpyridine)platinum, benzylguanine,glufosfamide, GPX100,(trans,trans,trans)bis-mu-(hexane-1,6-diamine)mu-[diamine-platinum(II)]bis[diamine(chloro)platinum(II)]tetrachloride,diarizidinylspermine, arsenic trioxide,1-(11-dodecylamino-10-hydroxyundecyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine, zorubicin,idarubicin, daunorubicin, bisantrene, mitoxantrone, pirarubicin,pinafide, valrubicin, amrubicin, antineoplastone,3′-deamino-3′-morpholino-13-deoxo-10-hydroxycaminomycin, annamycin,galarubicin, elinafide, MEN10755 and4-demethoxy-3-deamino-3-aziridinyl-4-methylsulfonyldaunorubicin (see WO00/50032).

Examples of microtubulin inhibitors include paclitaxel, vindesinesulfate, 3′,4′-didehydro-4′-deoxy-8′-norvincaleukoblastine, docetaxol,rhizoxin, dolastatin, mivobulin isethionate, auristatin, cemadotin,RPR109881, BMS184476, vinflunine, cryptophycin,2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-N-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)benzenesulfonamide,anhydrovinblastine,N,N-dimethyl-L-valyl-L-valyl-N-methyl-L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline-t-butylamide,TDX258 and BMS188797.

Some examples of topoisomerase inhibitors are topotecan, hycaptamine,irinotecan, rubitecan,6-ethoxypropionyl-3′,4′-O-exobenzylidenechartreusin,9-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-5-nitropyrazolo[3,4,5-kl]acridine-2-(6H)propanamine,1-amino-9-ethyl-5-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-9-hydroxy-4-methyl-1H,12H-benzo[de]pyrano[3′,4′:b,7]indolizino[1,2b]quinoline-10,13(9H,15H)dione,lurtotecan, 7-[2-(N-isopropylamino)ethyl]-(20S)-camptothecin, BNP1350,BNPI1100, BN80915, BN80942, etoposide phosphate, teniposide, sobuzoxane,2′-dimethylamino-2′-deoxyetoposide, GL331,N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-9-hydroxy-5,6-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole-1-carboxamide,asulacrine,(5a,5aB,8aa,9b)-9-[2-[N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl]-5-[4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5,5a,6,8,8a,9-hexohydrofuro(3′,4′:6,7)naphtho(2,3-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-one,2,3-(methylenedioxy)-5-methyl-7-hydroxy-8-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthridinium,6,9-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino]benzo[g]isoquinoline-5,10-dione,5-(3-aminopropylamino)-7,10-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethylaminomethyl)-6H-pyrazolo[4,5,1-de]acridin-6-one,N-[1-[2(diethylamino)ethylamino]-7-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-4-ylmethyl]formamide,N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)acridine-4-carboxamide,6-[[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-amino]-3-hydroxy-7H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-oneand dimesna.

“Antiproliferative agents” include antisense RNA and DNAoligonucleotides such as G3139, ODN698, RVASKRAS, GEM231 and INX3001 andantimetabolites such as enocitabine, carmofur, tegafur, pentostatin,doxifluridine, trimetrexate, fludarabine, capecitabine, galocitabine,cytarabine ocfosfate, fosteabine sodium hydrate, raltitrexed,paltitrexid, emitefur, tiazofurin, decitabine, nolatrexed, pemetrexed,nelzarabine, 2′-deoxy-2′-methylidenecytidine,2′-fluoromethylene-2′-deoxycytidine,N-[5-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuryl)sulfonyl]-N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea,N6-[4-deoxy-4-[N2-[2(E),4(E)-tetradecadienoyl]glycylamino]-L-glycero-B-L-mannoheptopyranosyl]adenine,aplidine, ecteinascidin, troxacitabine,4-[2-amino-4-oxo-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrimidino[5,4-b]-1,4-thiazin-6-yl-(S)-ethyl]-2,5-thienoyl-L-glutamicacid, aminopterin, 5-fluorouracil, alanosine,11-acetyl-8-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-4-formyl-6-methoxy-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo-(7.4.1.0.0)tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-9-ylaceticacid ester, swainsonine, lometrexol, dexrazoxane, methioninase,2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-B-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine and3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. “Antiproliferativeagents” also include monoclonal anti-bodies to growth factors other thanthose listed under “angiogenesis inhibitors”, such as trastuzumab, andtumour suppressor genes, such as p53, which can be delivered viarecombinant virus-mediated gene transfer (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,134,for example).

Particular preference is given to the use of the compound according tothe invention for the treatment and prophylaxis of tumour diseases.

The tumour is preferably selected from the group of tumours of thesquamous epithelium, of the bladder, of the stomach, of the kidneys, ofhead and neck, of the oesophagus, of the cervix, of the thyroid, of theintestine, of the liver, of the brain, of the prostate, of theurogenital tract, of the lymphatic system, of the stomach, of the larynxand/or of the lung.

The tumour is furthermore preferably selected from the group lungadenocarcinoma, small-cell lung carcinomas, pancreatic cancer,glioblastomas, colon carcinoma and breast carcinoma.

Preference is furthermore given to the use for the treatment of a tumourof the blood and immune system, preferably for the treatment of a tumourselected from the group of acute myelotic leukaemia, chronic myeloticleukaemia, acute lymphatic leukaemia and/or chronic lymphatic leukaemia.

The invention also encompasses a method for the treatment of a patientwho has a neoplasm, such as a cancer, by administration of

-   -   a) one or more of the compound of the formula I:

-   -   b) and one or more of the compounds of the formula VI:

in which Y′ and Z′ each, independently of one another, denote O or N,R^(7′) and R^(9′) each, independently of one another, denote H, OH,halogen, OC1-10-alkyl, OCF₃, NO₂ or NH₂, p denotes an integer between 2and 6, each inclusive, and R^(6′) and R^(8′) are each, independently ofone another, preferably in the meta- or para-position and are selectedfrom the group:

where the first and second compound are administered simultaneously orwithin 14 days of one another in amounts which are sufficient to inhibitthe growth of the neoplasm.

The combination of the compounds of the formula I with the compounds ofthe formula VI and other pentamidine analogues results in a synergisticaction in the inhibition of neoplasias.

The mechanism of action of pentamidine or derivatives thereof has notbeen clearly explained at present: pentamidine or derivatives thereofappears to have pleiotropic actions since it results in a decrease inDNA, RNA and protein synthesis. It was recently described thatpentamidine is a capable inhibitor of PRL1, -2 and 3 phosphatases(Pathak et al., 2002) and tyrosine phosphatases, and overexpressionthereof is accompanied by neoplastic malignant tumours in humans. On theother hand, it has been described that pentamidine is a medicament whichbinds to the DNA minor groove (Puckowska et al., 2004) and is able toexert its action via disturbance of gene expression and/or DNAsynthesis.

Our attached experiments show that:

-   -   both pentamidine and also the compounds of the formula I        maintain cells in the G2/M cell cycle.    -   the combination of pentamidine and compounds of the formula I        have additive to synergistic actions on cell proliferation.

Other suitable pentamidine analogues include stilbamidine (G-1) andhydroxystilbamidine (G-2) and indole analogues thereof (for exampleG-3):

Each amidine unit may be replaced, independently of one another, by oneof the units defined above for R⁸ and R⁹. As in the case ofbenzimidazoles and pentamidines, salts of stilbamidine,hydroxystilbamidine and indole derivatives thereof are also suitable inthe process according to the invention. Preferred salts include, forexample, dihydrochloride and methanesulfonate salts.

Still other analogues are those which fall under a formula which areprovided in one of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,428,051, 5,521,189, 5,602,172,5,643,935, 5,723,495, 5,843,980, 6,172,104 and 6,326,395 or the USpatent application with the publication No. US 2002/0019437 A1, each ofwhich is incorporated in its entirety by way of reference. Illustrativeanalogues include 1,5-bis(4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)pentane,1,3-bis(4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)propane,1,3-bis(2′-methoxy-4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)propane,1,4-bis(4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)butane,1,5-bis(4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)pentane,1,4-bis(4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)butane,1,3-bis(4′-(4-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)propane,1,3-bis(2′-methoxy-4′-(N-hydroxyamidino)phenoxy)propane,2,5-bis[4-amidinophenyl]furan, 2,5-bis[4-amidinophenyl]furan bisamideoxime, 2,5-bis[4-amidinophenyl]furan bis-O-methylamide oxime,2,5-bis[4-amidinophenyl]furan bis-O-ethylamide oxime,2,8-diamidinodibenzothiophene, 2,8-bis(N-isopropylamidino)carbazole,2,8-bis(N-hydroxyamidino)carbazole,2,8-bis(2-imidazolinyl)dibenzothiophene,2,8-bis(2-imidazolinyl)-5,5-dioxodibenzothiophene,3,7-diamidinodibenzothiophene,3,7-bis(N-isopropylamidino)dibenzothiophene,3,7-bis(N-hydroxyamidino)dibenzothiophene, 3,7-diaminodibenzothiophene,3,7-dibromodibenzothiophene, 3,7-dicyanodibenzothiophene,2,8-diamidinodibenzofuran, 2,8-di-(2-imidazolinyl)dibenzofuran,2,8-di-(N-isopropylamidino)dibenzofuran,2,8-di-(N-hydroxylamidino)dibenzofuran,3,7-di-(2-imidazolinyl)dibenzofuran,3,7-di(isopropylamidino)dibenzofuran,3,7-di-(A-hydroxylamidino)dibenzofuran, 2,8-dicyanodibenzofuran,4,4′-dibromo-2,2′-dinitrobiphenyl,2-methoxy-2′-nitro-4,4′-dibromobiphenyl,2-methoxy-2′-amino-4,4′-dibromobiphenyl, 3,7-dibromodibenzofuran,3,7-dicyanodibenzofuran, 2,5-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)pyrrole,2,5-bis[5-(2-imidazolinyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]pyrrole,2,6-bis[5-(2-imidazolinyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]pyridine,1-methyl-2,5-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)pyrrole,1-methyl-2,5-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]pyrrole,1-methyl-2,5-bis[5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]pyrrole,2,6-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazoyl)pyridine,2,6-bis[5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]pyridine,2,5-bis-(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)furan,2,5-bis[5-(2-imidazolinyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]furan,2,5-bis(5-N-isopropylamidino-2-benzimidazolyl)furan,2,5-bis(4-guanylphenyl)furan, 2,5-bis(4-guanylphenyl)-3,4-dimethylfuran,2,5-di-p-[2-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidyl)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(2-imidazolinyl)-phenyl]furan,2,5-[bis{4-(2-tetrahydropyrimidinyl)}phenyl]_(p)-(tolyloxy)furan,2,5-[bis{4-(2-imidazolinyl)}phenyl]-3-p-(tolyloxy)furan,2,5-bis{4-[5-(N-2-aminoethylamido)benzimidazol-2-yl]phenyl}furan,2,5-bis[4-(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,3-diazepin-2-yl)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis(4-N,N-dimethylcarboxhydrazidophenyl)furan,2,5-bis{4-[2-(N-2-hydroxyethyl)imidazolinyl]-phenyl}furan,2,5-bis[4-(N-isopropylamidino)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis{4-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl)amidino]phenyl}furan,2,5-bis{4-[N-(3-aminopropyl)-amidino]phenyl}furan,2,5-bis[2-(imidzaolinyl)phenyl]-3,4-bis(methoxymethyl)furan,2,5-bis[4-N-(dimethylaminoethyl)guanyl]phenylfuran,2,5-bis-{4-[(N-2-hydroxyethyl)guanyl]phenyl}furan,2,5-bis[4-N-(cyclopropylguanyl)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(N,N-diethylaminopropyl)guanyl]phenylfuran,2,5-bis{4-[2-(N-ethylimidazolinyl)]phenyl}furan,2,5-bis{4-[N-(3-pentylguanyl)]}phenylfuran,2,5-bis[4-(2-imidazolinyl)phenyl]-3-methoxyfuran,2,5-bis[4-(N-isopropylamidino)phenyl]-3-methylfuran,bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]methane,bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]methane,1,2-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]ethane,1,2-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]ethane,1,3-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]propane,1,3-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]propane,1,4-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]propane,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]butane,1,8-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]octane,trans-1,2-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]ethene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-methylbutane,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-ethylbutane,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-methyl-1-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2,3-diethyl-2-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1,3-butadiene,1,4-bis[5-(2-imidazolyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene,bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]methane,1,2-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]ethane,1,3-bis[5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl]propane,1,3-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]propane,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]butane,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-methylbutane,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-ethylbutane,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1-methyl-1-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2,3-diethyl-2-butene,1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-1,3-butadiene and1,4-bis[5-(2-pyrimidyl)-2-benzimidazolyl]-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene,2,4-bis(4-guanylphenyl)pyrimidine, 2,4-bis(4-imidazolin-2-yl)pyrimidine,2,4-bis-[(tetrahydropyrimidinyl-2-yl)phenyl]pyrimidine,2-(4-[N-1-propylguanyl]-phenyl)-4-(2-methoxy-4-[N-1-propylguanyl]phenyl)pyrimidine,4-(N-cyclopentylamidino)-1,2-phenylenediamine,2,5-bis[2-(5-amidino)benzimidazoyl]furan,2,5-bis[2-{5-(2-imidazolino)}benzimidazoyl]furan,2,5-bis-[2-(5-N-isopropylamidino)benzimidazoyl]furan,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-cyclopentylamidino)benzimidazoyl]furan,2,5-bis[2-(5-amidino)benzimidazoyl]pyrrole,2,5-bis[2-{5-(2-imidazolino)}benzimidazoyl]pyrrole,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-iso-propylamidino)benzimidazoyl]pyrrole,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-cyclopentylamidino)-benzimidazoyl]pyrrole,1-methyl-2,5-bis[2-(5-amidino)benzimidazoyl]-pyrrole,2,5-bis[2-{5-(2-imidazolino)}benzimidazoyl]-1-methylpyrrole,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-cyclopentylamidino)benzimidazoyl]-1-methylpyrrole,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-isopropylamidino)benzimidazoyl]thiophene,2,6-bis[2-{5-(2-imidazolino)}benzimidazoyl]pyridine,2,6-bis[2-(5-amidino)benzimidazoyl]-pyridine,4,4′-bis[2-(5-N-isopropylamidino)benzimidazoyl]-1,2-diphenylethane,4,4′-bis[2-(5-N-cyclopentylamidino)benzimidazoyl]-2,5-diphenylfuran,2,5-bis[2-(5-amidino)benzimidazoyl]benzo[b]furan,2,5-bis[2-(5-N-cyclopentylamidino)benzimidazoyl]benzo[b]furan,2,7-bis[2-(5-N-isopropylamidino)benzimidazoyl]fluorine,2,5-bis[4-(3-(N-morpholinopropyl)-carbamoyl)phenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethylcarbamoyl)-phenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(3-N,N-dimethylaminopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-furan,2,5-bis[4-(3-N-methyl-3-N-phenylaminopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-furan,2,5-bis[4-(3-N,N8,N11-trimethylaminopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-furan,2,5-bis[3-amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[3-(N-isopropylamidino)-amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[3-[(N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-amidino]phenylfuran,2,5-bis[4-(N-2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(N-thioethylcarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis-[4-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(N-phenoxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(N-(4-fluoro)phenoxycarbonyl)-amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(N-(4-methoxy)phenoxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan,2,5-bis[4-(1-acetoxyethoxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan and2,5-bis[4-(N-(3-fluoro)phenoxycarbonyl)amidinophenyl]furan. Processesfor the preparation of one of the above compounds are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,428,051, 5,521,189, 5,602,172, 5,643,935, 5,723,495,5,843,980, 6,172,104 and 6,326,395 or the US patent application with thepublication No. US 2002/0019437 A1.

Pentamidine metabolites are likewise suitable in the antiproliferativecombination according to the invention. Pentamidine is rapidlymetabolised in the body to at least seven primary metabolites. Some ofthese metabolites have one or more actions in common with pentamidine.Pentamidine metabolites have antiproliferative action when combined witha benzimidazole or an analogue thereof.

Seven pentamidine analogues are shown below.

The combinations according to the invention of compounds of the formulaI and formula VI or analogues thereof and metabolites thereof aresuitable for the treatment of neoplasms. Combination therapy can becarried out alone or in combination with another therapy (for exampleoperation, irradiation, chemotherapy, biological therapy). In addition,a person whose risk of developing a neoplasm is greater (for examplesomeone who is genetically predisposed or someone who previously had aneoplasm) can be given prophylactic treatment in order to inhibit ordelay neoplasm formation.

The invention likewise relates to the combination of kinesin ATPaseEg5/KSP with the compounds of the formula VI, pentamidine, analoguesthereof and/or metabolites thereof.

The dosage and frequency of administration of each compound in thecombination can be controlled independently. For example, one compoundmay be administered orally three times daily, while the second compoundmay be administered intramuscularly once per day. The compounds may alsobe formulated together, leading to administration of both compounds.

The antiproliferative combinations according to the invention can alsobe provided as components of a pharmaceutical package. The twomedicaments can be formulated together or separately and in individualdosage amounts.

Under another aspect, the invention encompasses a for the treatment of apatient who has a neoplasm, such as a cancer, by administration of acompound of the formula (I) and (VI) in combination with anantiproliferative agent. Suitable antiproliferative agents encompassthose provided in Table 1.

Above and below, all temperatures are indicated in ° C. In the followingexamples, “conventional work-up” means: if necessary, water is added,the pH is adjusted, if necessary, to values between 2 and 10, dependingon the constitution of the end product, the mixture is extracted withethyl acetate or dichloromethane, the phases are separated, the organicphase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated, and the product ispurified by chromatography on silica gel and/or by crystallisation. Rfvalues on silica gel; eluent: ethyl acetate/methanol 9:1.

Mass spectrometry (MS): EI (electron impact ionisation) M⁺ FAB (fastatom bombardment) (M + H)⁺ ESI (electrospray ionisation) (M + H)⁺APCI-MS (atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation - mass spectrometry)(M + H)⁺

EXAMPLE 1

a. Reaction in the Presence of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)

EXAMPLE 2

4-Trifluoromethylaniline (145 mg, 0.9 mmol) is dissolved in 1.5 ml ofacetonitrile, and TFA is added. 1,4-Dioxene (76.1 mg, 0.9 mmol) andbenzaldehyde (0.09 ml, 0.9 mmol) are initially introduced in 1.5 ml ofACN, then the 4-trifluoromethylaniline TFA salt in acetonitrile is addedrapidly at room temperature. The reaction mixture is stirred overnightat RT. The solvent is removed. The purification is carried out bychromatography. The two isomers obtained can be separated.

The two racemic mixtures can be separated into the correspondingenantiomers by chiral HPLC.

[M⁺+1]=336

The following compounds according to the invention are obtainedanalogously using or corresponding precursors:

EXAMPLE A Assay I

The efficacy of the compounds according to the invention can bedetermined, for example, via the Eg5 ATPase activity, which is measuredvia an enzymatic regeneration of the product ADP to ATP by means ofpyruvate kinase (PK) and subsequent coupling to an NADH-dependentlactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reaction. The reaction can be monitored viathe change in absorbance at 340 nm by coupling to the NADH-dependentLDH. The regeneration of the ATP simultaneously ensures that thesubstrate concentration remains constant. The change in absorbance pertime unit are analysed graphically and a linear regression carried outin the visually linear region of the reaction.

EXAMPLE B Assay II

The combination of the antiprotozoic pentamidine and the inhibitors ofkinesin ATPase Eg5/KSP results in increased inhibitory effects in cellproliferation tests with the colon carcinoma cell line HCT116.

Eg5 inhibitors adversely affect the ATPase activity and inhibit thecourse of the cell cycle owing to an error in the separation of thespindle poles.

The determination of the efficacy of the compounds of the formula Iaccording to the invention in combination with compounds of the formulaVI and/or medicaments from Table I can be demonstrated as follows incombination assays:

10³ to 10⁴ cells of a defined cell line (HCT116, Colo 205, MDA-MB 231,etc.) are sown into each well of a 96-well microtitre plate andcultivated overnight under standard conditions. For the substances ofthe combination to be tested, 10-50 mM stock solutions in DMSO wereprepared. Dilution series (generally 3-fold dilution steps) of theindividual substances were combined with one another in the form of apipetting scheme (see scheme below), while maintaining a DMSO finalconcentration of 0.5% (v/v). Next morning, the substance mixtures wereadded to the cells, which were incubated under culture conditions for afurther 48 hours. At the end of the cultivation, Crystal Violet stainingof the cells was carried out. After extraction of the Crystal Violetfrom the fixed cells, the absorption at 550 nm was measuredspectrophotometrically. It can be used as a quantitative measure of theadherent cells present.

EXAMPLE C Injection Vials

A solution of 100 g of an active ingredient of the formula I and 5 g ofdisodium hydrogenphosphate in 3 l of bidistilled water is adjusted to pH6.5 using 2 N hydrochloric acid, sterile filtered, transferred intoinjection vials, lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed understerile conditions. Each injection vial contains 5 mg of activeingredient.

EXAMPLE D Suppositories

A mixture of 20 g of an active ingredient of the formula I with 100 g ofsoya lecithin and 1400 g of cocoa butter is melted, poured into mouldsand allowed to cool. Each suppository contains 20 mg of activeingredient.

EXAMPLE E Solution

A solution is prepared from 1 g of an active ingredient of the formulaI, 9.38 g of NaH₂PO₄.2H₂O, 28.48 g of Na₂HPO₄.12H₂O and 0.1 g ofbenzalkonium chloride in 940 ml of bidistilled water. The pH is adjustedto 6.8, and the solution is made up to 1 l and sterilised byirradiation. This solution can be used in the form of eye drops.

EXAMPLE F Ointment

500 mg of an active ingredient of the formula I are mixed with 99.5 g ofVaseline under aseptic conditions.

EXAMPLE G Tablets

A mixture of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I, 4 kg oflactose, 1.2 kg of potato starch, 0.2 kg of talc and 0.1 kg of magnesiumstearate is pressed in a conventional manner to give tablets in such away that each tablet contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE H Dragees

Tablets are pressed analogously to Example E and subsequently coated ina conventional manner with a coating of sucrose, potato starch, talc,tragacanth and dye.

EXAMPLE I Capsules

2 kg of active ingredient of the formula I are introduced into hardgelatine capsules in a conventional manner in such a way that eachcapsule contains 20 mg of the active ingredient.

EXAMPLE J Ampoules

A solution of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I in 60 l ofbidistilled water is sterile filtered, transferred into ampoules,lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed under sterileconditions. Each ampoule contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

1. Compounds of the formula I

in which W denotes CH or N, R¹, R², R³, independently of one another,denote H, A, aryl, heteroaryl, Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—SA, —(CY₂)_(n)—SCF₃,—(CY₂)_(n)—SCN, —(CY₂)_(n)—CF₃, —(CY₂)_(n)—OCF₃, cycloalkyl, —SCH₃,—SCN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OA, —(CY₂)_(n)—OH, —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R, —(CY₂)_(n)—CN,—(CY₂)_(n)-Hal, —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂, (CY₂)_(n)—OA, (CY₂)_(n)—OCOA, —SCF₃,(CY₂)_(n)—CONR₂, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHCOA, —(CY₂)_(n)—NHSO₂A, Y denotes H, A,Hal A denotes alkyl or cycloalkyl, Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I R denotesH or A, in the case of geminal radicals R together also —(CH₂)₅—,—(CH₂)₄— or —(CH₂)₂—NR—(CH₂)₂, R⁴, R⁵ together denote —X (CH₂)₂X—,—X(CR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂OR) X—,—XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —XCR₂CH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—,—X(CH₂)₂X—, —XCHQCR₂X, —XCR₂CHQX—, —XCR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂OR)X—,—XCH(CH₂OR)CR₂X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)X—, —XCH(CH₂NR₂)CR₂X—, —OCH₂CH₂O—,

Q denotes CH₂Hal, CHO, COR^(a), CH₂R^(a), CH₂OCOR^(a), CH₂NCOR¹,CH₂N(R¹)₂, CH₂OR¹, CH₂OCON(R¹)₂, CH₂OCOOR¹, CH₂NHCON(R¹)₂, CH₂NHCOOR¹,

 OR, NHR₂, NR₂, OR, NHR₂, NR₂, NR(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, NR(CH₂)_(n)OR, COOR,N-pyrrolidone radical, OCOR, NR(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NHCOOR]CO-aryl, R¹,N[CH₂(CH₂)_(n)OR]₂, NR(CH₂)_(n)NCOOR, X(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)XR,NR(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)OH, NR(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n)OH, (CH₂)_(n)COOR,O(CO)NR(CH₂)_(n)OR, O(CO)(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, NR(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)Aryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)R¹,N(R)(CH₂)_(n)N(R)COOR, XCOO(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, OSO₂A, OSO₂CF₃, OSO₂Ar, OCONR₂,OCH₂(CH₂)_(n)NR₂ Z denotes CH₂, X, CHCONH₂, CH(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR, CHNRCOOR,NCO, CH(CH₂)_(n)COOR, NCOOR, CH(CH₂)_(n)OH, N(CH₂)_(n)OH, CHNH₂,CH(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, CH(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, C(OH)R, CHNCOR, CH(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,CH(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, CH(CH₂)_(n)R¹, N(CH₂)_(n)COOR,CH(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, CH(CH₂)_(n)X(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N(CH₂)_(n)CONR₂, XCONR(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, N[(CH₂)_(n)XCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)X-aryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)NR-aryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]CO(CH₂)_(n)X-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)XR]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NRCOOR]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]CO(CH₂)_(n)NR-heteroaryl,N[(CH₂)_(n)NR₂]SO₂(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, O(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, X(CH₂)_(n)NR₂,NCO(CH₂)_(n)NR₂, X denotes O, S or NR R⁶ denotes aryl or heteroaryl,each of which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by aryl orheteroaryl, each of which may be substituted by Hal, NO₂, CN, A, OR,OCOR, NR₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or OCH(CF₃)₂, or by Hal, NO₂, CN, OR, A,—(CY₂)_(n)—OR, —OCOR, —(CY₂)_(n)—CO₂R, —(CY₂)_(n)—CN or —(CY₂)_(n)—NR₂,R⁷ denotes (C═O)—R, (C═O)—NR₂, (C═O)—OR, H or A and n, m, independentlyof one another, denote 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 and pharmaceuticallyusable derivatives, solvates, tautomers, salts and stereoisomersthereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 2. Compoundsaccording to claim 1 in which R¹ denotes A, CF₃, OCF₃, SA, SCN, CH₂CN,—OCOA, Hal, SCF₃, t-butyl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, isopropyl, ethyl or methyl.3. Compounds according to claim 1 in which R² denotes F or H. 4.Compounds according to claim 1 in which R³ denotes F or H.
 5. Compoundsaccording to claim 1 in which R⁴ and R⁵ together denote one of thefollowing groups:—X(CR₂)₂X— or —XCR₂X— and X and R have the meaning indicated in claim 1.6. Compounds according to claim 1 in which X denotes O.
 7. Compoundsaccording to claim 1 in which R⁵ together with R⁴ adopts one of thefollowing meanings:

in which X and R have the meaning indicated in claim
 1. 8. Compoundsaccording to claim 1 in which R⁶ denotes phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl,pyrimidyl, furyl or thienyl, each of which is unsubstituted or mono- orpolysubstituted by Hal, CN, NO₂, OH, CF₃, OCH(CF₃)₂, OCOCH₃ or A 9.Compounds according to claim 1 in which R⁶ denotes one of the followinggroups:


10. Compounds according to claim 1 in which R⁷ denotes H.
 11. Compoundsof the sub-formulae IA to IB:

in which R, R¹, R², R³, R⁶, R⁷ and X have the meaning indicated in claim1 and R⁸ denotes H, CH₂OR or CH₂NR₂.
 12. Compounds of the sub-formulae Aand B:

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ have the meaning indicated in claim1, and the racemate thereof or other mixtures of the enantiomers. 13.Compounds of the sub-formulae I1 to I43:


14. Process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I accordingto claim 1 and pharmaceutically usable derivatives, salts, solvates,tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, characterised in that a compound ofthe formula II

in which R¹, R² and R³ have the meanings indicated in claim 1, isreacted with a compound of the formula III

in which R⁶ has the meaning indicated in claim 1, and with a compound ofthe formula III, the double-bond isomer (E isomer) thereof or mixturesthereof

in which R⁴ and R⁵ have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and, ifdesired, a radical R⁷ which denotes H is converted into a radical R⁷which has a meaning other than H, and/or, if desired, a base or acid ofthe formula I is converted into one of its salts.
 15. Process accordingto claim 14, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in thepresence of a protonic acid or Lewis acid.
 16. Process according toclaim 14, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in thepresence of trifluoroacetic acid, hexafluoroisopropanol, bismuth(III)chloride, ytterbium(III) triflate, scandium(III) triflate or cerium(IV)ammonium nitrate.
 17. Medicament comprising at least one compound of theformula I according to claim 1 and/or pharmaceutically usablederivatives, salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof,including mixtures thereof in all ratios, and optionally excipientsand/or adjuvants.
 18. Mixture comprise one or more compounds of theformula I and an amount of one or more compounds of the formula VI,analogues thereof and/or metabolites thereof

in which Y′ and Z′ each, independently of one another, denote O or N,R^(7′) and R^(9′) each, independently of one another, denote H, OH,halogen, OC1-10-alkyl, OCF₃, NO₂ or NH₂, p denotes an integer between 2and 6, each inclusive, and R^(6′) and R^(8′) are each, independently ofone another, in the meta- or para-position and are selected from thegroup:


19. Use according to claim 18, where the compound of the formula VI usedis pentamidine or salts thereof.
 20. Use of compounds according to claim1 and pharmaceutically usable derivatives, salts, solvates, tautomersand stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, orof the mixture, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment ofdiseases which can be influenced by the inhibition, regulation and/ormodulation of the mitotic motor protein Eg5.
 21. Use of compoundaccording to claim 1 or the mixture for the preparation of a medicamentfor the treatment and prophylaxis of cancer diseases.
 22. Use accordingto claim 21, where the cancer diseases are accompanied by a tumour fromthe group of tumours of the squamous epithelium, of the bladder, of thestomach, of the kidneys, of head and neck, of the oesophagus, of thecervix, of the thyroid, of the intestine, of the liver, of the brain, ofthe prostate, of the urogenital tract, of the lymphatic system, of thestomach, of the larynx and/or of the lung.
 23. Use according to claim22, where the tumour originates from the group monocytic leukaemia, lungadenocarcinoma, small-cell lung carcinomas, pancreatic cancer,glioblastomas and breast carcinoma and colon carcinoma.
 24. Useaccording to claim 21, where the cancer disease to be treated is atumour of the blood and immune system.
 25. Use according to claim 24,where the tumour originates from the group of acute myelotic leukaemia,chronic myelotic leukaemia, acute lymphatic leukaemia and/or chroniclymphatic leukaemia.
 26. Use of compounds of the formula I according toclaim 1 and/or physiologically acceptable salts and solvates thereof forthe preparation of a medicament for the treatment of tumours incombination with a therapeutically effective amount of one or morecompounds of the formula VI, analogues thereof and/or metabolitesthereof

in which Y′ and Z′ each, independently of one another, denote O or N,R^(7′) and R^(9′) each, independently of one another, denote H, OH,halogen, OC1-10-alkyl, OCF₃, NO₂ or NH₂, p denotes an integer between 2and 6, each inclusive, and R^(6′) and R^(8′) are each, independently ofone another, in the meta- or para-position and are selected from thegroup:

where the compounds of the formula I and the compounds of the formulaVI, analogues thereof and/or metabolites thereof are administeredsimultaneously or within 14 days of one another in amounts which aresufficient to inhibit the growth of a tumour or of otherhyperproliferative cells.
 27. Use according to claim 26, where thecompound of the formula VI used is pentamidine or salts thereof.
 28. Useof compounds of the formula I according to claim 1 and/orphysiologically acceptable salts and solvates thereof for thepreparation of a medicament for the treatment of tumours where atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula I isadministered in combination with radiotherapy and a compound from thegroup 1) oestrogen receptor modulator, 2) androgen receptor modulator,3) retinoid receptor modulator, 4) cytotoxic agent, 5) antiproliferativeagent, 6) prenyl-protein-transferase inhibitor, 7) HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitor, 8) HIV protease inhibitor, 9) reverse transcriptase inhibitorand 10) further angiogenesis inhibitors.